The Hammers’ turbulent season hit a new low on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat in the West Ham vs Leeds United clash – a result that leaves them 19th on the English Premier League table and puts head coach Nuno Espírito Santo under pressure to turn things around.
The Premier League Friday night football saw Leeds United claim all three points against West Ham after early goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon secured a 2-1 victory at Elland Road.
And despite a 90th-minute goal from Mateus Fernandes, it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback, as the Whites held firm to hand West Ham their seventh loss in nine EPL games. And with just four points from a possible 27, it makes it their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1973/74 season.
Both Leeds goals came from defensive lapses. The opener followed a moment of hesitation from the Hammers’ defenders after Alphonse Areola’s save from a header wasn’t properly cleared, allowing Brenden Aaronson to tap into an empty net. Twelve minutes later, Joe Rodon doubled the hosts’ lead with a precise header from a corner that nestled into the side netting.
Both goals stemmed from poor marking and a lack of organisation during set pieces – a recurring issue that has cost the Hammers all season.
The West Ham loss to Leeds United has not only deepened the frustration amongst fans who fear another long and difficult campaign ahead, but it also highlights the defensive frailties and lack of cohesion that will need to be addressed before they can begin to climb their way back up the Premier League table and restore confidence within the squad.
Without improvements in various areas of the pitch, West Ham risk being dragged even deeper into the Premier League relegation battle.
West Ham vs Leeds United 2-1: Nuno Espirito Santo Under Pressure as West Ham Slip Toward Relegation Battle
Once viewed as a mid-table mainstay capable of causing upsets against the traditional top-four side, the London club now faces the grim reality of a West Ham relegation battle if performances on the pitch don’t improve quickly.
The winners of the Conference League in 2022/23, under David Moyes, have since become a team that lacks the identity and fighting spirit they are well known for.
It was evident that former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo was under pressure as he cut a frustrated figure on the touchline in the game against Leeds. The Portuguese manager is still chasing his first victory after four matches in charge.
The Premier League’s unforgiving nature was highlighted by the recent dismissals of Ange Postecoglou, who managed Nottingham Forest for eight games, and Graham Potter, who registered only six wins in 25 games at West Ham. Nuno will be desperate for a turnaround in fortunes to relieve the growing pressure surrounding the London club.
For the fans, the biggest problem that worries them the most is the manner in which their team concede defeats. The lack of coordination in both midfield and defence, and failure to convert chances have all contributed to a steady decline in morale.
Senior players such as Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek have struggled to find their best form this season. Although Bowen remains the team’s top scorer and one of the few bright sparks, West Ham’s once-reliable resilience under pressure seems to have completely disappeared.
These recurring flaws were once again laid bare in the West Ham vs Leeds encounter, where the side struggled to cope with Leeds’ pressing and tempo.
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Daniel Farke’s Fired-Up Leeds Find Form to Pull Clear of the Relegation Zone
For Leeds, the victory marks their third of the campaign and provides a much-needed boost. Although they’ve played one game more than most teams, the result lifts them to 13th in the Premier League table for now and offers renewed confidence heading into their next fixtures.
Daniel Farke’s side were sharp, disciplined, and remained compact throughout the contest, with the victory taking them to eleven points and moving them safely clear of the relegation zone.
Their intensity from the first whistle exposed the gulf in confidence between the two sides.
Conclusion
The West Ham vs Leeds game serves as a timely reminder for the Hammers and most Premier League teams that reputation counts for little in the relentless world of top-flight football. And with tough games coming up, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men must quickly regroup, rediscover their identity, and find the fighting spirit needed to turn their season around before the pressure becomes unbearable.
If West Ham fail to turn their season around, dropping to the lower division would rank as one of the biggest shocks of the campaign.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / News Images
Recording Date: 24.10.2025